Doug Pederson Faces Job Security Questions As Jacksonville’s Struggles Continue

After the season’s first four games, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the only winless team in the NFL, and head coach Doug Pederson’s seat gets warmer with each defeat.

After his team blew a second-half lead against the Houston Texans on the road last week, the media asked him if he was concerned with his job security, and he answered back in a frosty manner.

“My status? I mean, no. That’s kind of a strange question, but, OK.” Later, when asked if he had thought about giving up play-calling duties, the former Super Bowl-winning coach gave a sarcastic, “I’ll keep that in mind” to the reporter. 

“As coaches, we can’t go out there and make the plays, right?” It’s a two-way street, so you guys can sit here and point the finger all you want, and that’s fine. Point it right at me. I can take it, OK. I can take it. So, whatever you want to ask me, say, write, go ahead.”

Pederson may be talking about the struggling play of his franchise quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, who signed a five-year extension in the off-season. The former first-round pick missed some wide-open throws during crucial game moments, resulting in another defeat.

Lawrance, who led his team to the playoffs in his second season, continues to regress. He has not thrown for over 220 yards in any of the four games this year while averaging just one touchdown pass per game. After the loss, Lawrence took responsibility for the defeat.

“I think part of the week to get through is just because you’re just sick, you know? You put all the time in for these games, and then when you don’t perform and you don’t get the result you wanted, it’s just a bad feeling, especially when you put the time in.”

The Jaguars can respond this weekend with a road matchup against a divisional rival, the Indianapolis Colts.